Prevalence and natural history of scoliosis and associated congenital vertebral anomalies in patients operated for esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula.

BACKGROUND

Scoliosis has been reported after repair of esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF). This study aims to investigate the prevalence and natural history of scoliosis and associated congenital vertebral anomalies in patients operated for EATEF.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients operated for EA-TEF with radiological examination for the presence of scoliosis or associated spine congenital anomalies was done on 106 patients (ages 5-19 years).

RESULTS

Scoliosis was found in 53 patients (49%) for which 46 of these were in the thoracic region and 33 were right-thoracic curves. After a follow-up ranging from 5 to 14 years, four patients (3.7%) out of 106 were operated for scoliosis. Right-sided thoracotomy (RST) was the identifiable risk factor for scoliosis development; all patients with scoliosis had their EA repaired through RST. Congenital vertebral anomalies were found in 8 of those patients (7.5%). After a median follow-up of 6.5 years, no patients progressed enough to require operation.

CONCLUSION

Scoliosis affects one of every two patients operated for EA; it may progress to the indication of surgery. RST was the identifiable risk factor for scoliosis development.